RoadVitals

1991 Ford Mustang

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
77
Latest Mar 4, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
27
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 77 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Ford Mustang, most frequently naming the electrical, interior & seats and airbags categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 35 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE94010ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL LINE ROUTING

Opened Feb 2, 1994
Closed Apr 19, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE91137ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HOOD LATCH FAILURES

Opened Oct 9, 1991
Closed Feb 27, 1992

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 77
Electrical
Filed Mar 4, 2020
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HAD REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL INJECTOR, AIR FLOW, AND ROLLER ROCKERS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE MECHANIC USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, THE POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOT CALLED. THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,500.

NHTSA ID
11316048
Incident
Mar 4, 2020
Mileage
49,500 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 24, 2015

THE AIRBAGS COULD DEPLOY AT AN INAPPROPRIATE TIME OR NOT AT ALL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THE AIR BAG BLINKS ALL THE TIME AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO ANSWERS SO I AM RED FLAGGING THIS PROBLEM THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
10730249
Incident
Jun 24, 2015
Mileage
79,064 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 14, 2014

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT AUTOMATICALLY CAUSING CONCERN BELT WOULD FAIL TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10610436
Incident
Jul 14, 2014
Mileage
138,710 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND THEN FIRE FROM THE DASH BOARD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PERSONALLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS STARTED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE ECM. THE CONTACT CALLED MANUFACTURER AFTER NOTICING A NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE PARTS FOR THE REMEDY WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SIX MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
10508424
Incident
Mar 25, 2013
Mileage
65,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 28, 2010
Crash reported2 injuries reported

1991 MUSTANG LX 5.0 SUDDEN ACCELERATION ACCIDENT. 1991 MUSTANG LX 5.0 MAKING LEFT TURN FROM STOP SIGN IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN ENGINE ON ITS OWN WENT FULL THROTTLE CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND LEAVE ROADWAY WHERE IT CONTINUED UNDER FULL THROTTLE THROUGH TREE BRANCHES AND BUSHES, A 6 FOOT WROUGHT IRON STYLE FENCE OVER A RETAINING WALL AT WHICH POINT IT BRIEFLY BECAME AIRBORNE LANDING ON A POOL DECK THEN CONTINUING AT FULL THROTTLE ONTO THE SUBDIVISION SWIMMING POOL TARP UNTIL THE FRONT END CRASHED INTO THE POOL WALL ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE POOL CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. AFTER IMPACT WITH THE POOL WALL, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WHICH WAS STILL ON THE POOL DECK CONTINUED SPINNING LEAVING MELTED RUBBER ON THE POOL DECK. THE MUSTANG ENDED UP PARTIALLY SUBMERGED. THANK GOD THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. 7 YEARS PREVIOUSLY THE SAME 1991 MUSTANG ON ITS OWN, WENT FULL THROTTLE, BUT ON A STRAIGHT 4 LANE ROAD. AT THAT TIME, THE DRIVER TRIED TO STOP THE MUSTANG BY BRAKING TO NO AVAIL. THE MUSTANG TRAVELED OVER 2 MILES WITH THE DRIVER APPLYING THE BRAKES UNTIL THE DRIVER RAN OUT OF ROAD AND DROVE THE CAR UPHILL BETWEEN TWO HOUSES AT WHICH TIME THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED IN PARK AFTER THE EVENT, THE ENGINE AGAIN WENT TO FULL THROTTLE IN PARK WITH THE TACHOMETER GOING TO THE 6,000 RPM RANGE. AT THAT TIME, THE CAR WAS TRUCKED TO A FORD DEALER WHICH ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND REPAIRED THE LINKAGE. THE FORD DEALER ASSURED US THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10362772
Incident
Oct 22, 2010
Mileage
160,905 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 24, 2008

I HAD PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, I PUT MY PARKING BRAKE ON BECAUSE MY DRIVEWAY IS ON A SLOPE. I WENT TO USE THE CAR AGAIN I REMOVED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THAT'S WHEN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP. SINCE THEN I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243310
Incident
Aug 30, 2008
Mileage
124,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 16, 2008
Fire reported

HAD SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER DASH. LOST RADIO, AND TAIL LIGHTS WIRES FROM LIGHT SWITCH TO TAIL LIGHT MELTED. NOT SURE IF FROM FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. WOULD LIKE MORE INFO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10231239
Incident
Sep 23, 2006
Mileage
126,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 12, 2008

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNATTENDED, THE AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL ACTIVATED. THIS IS THE FIRST OCCURANCE. NO INJURIES,. REPLACEMENT HAS NOT OCCURED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230858
Incident
Jun 7, 2008
Mileage
170,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

00241

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION THAT MAY BE HEARD OF FELT AT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BETWEEN IDLE AND 2300 RPM, AND GOES AWAY WHEN DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH AT LEAST 25MM. *TT

002310

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Mustang by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026530—
2025145057.1
20247311058.9
2023156062.7
2022499060.2
2021556059.4
20201178170.4
20191426056.1
20181864056.4
20172646163.4
20163715158.4
201543611363.5
20143594054.6
20132716052.2
20124697154.0
20114665153.0
20102606052.5
20091816055.6
20083478462.7
20076159462.7
20064229358.8
20057059358.2
20041166364.9
20031456368.0
20021186161.3
20011738162.6
20003119163.8
199921310163.9
199823614265.3
199717611261.3
199624612361.8
199560216466.0
199435613464.3
19931017168.6
1992695372.1
1991Viewing776269.6
1990855372.8
19891095472.0
19881085573.3
1987385673.3
1986302568.0
1985163470.8
1984184467.0
1983513—
1982114—
1981024—
1980422—
1979072—
1978350—
1977030—
1976230—
1975001—
1974010—
1973010—
1972010—
1971010—
1970020—
1969340—
1968120—
1967250—
1966410—
1965410—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.